12/29/08

No one knows better than you, Lord,how poorly I’ve donein keeping resolutions I’ve madeat New Year’s and on Ash Wednesdaysand all those other timeswhen I resolved to do this or that,or to stop doing such and suchand then just a few days later…

So with the first of January just days away,I resolve not to make any resolutions, Lord!

Instead, I offer youthe new year on the horizon,2009…

I offer you the new year, Lord,trusting that you plan on addinganother whole year to my life…

I offer you my heart for this year aheadand pray that you soften what’s hard in it;that you smooth its rough edges;that you heal its brokenness –not so much for my sake –but for those who will count on my heartand its lovein the new year…

I offer you my mind in this new yearand pray that you help me sort throughsome of my doubts and confusion;that you sharpen my mind with truth;that you expand the narrows of my mindand open me to wonders I don’t yet know…

I offer you my body in this year ahead, Lord:help me respect and care for the flesh and bonethat give form to my soul;get me out of bed, off the couch and up from the chairand move me, shake me, walk me, strengthen meand my mortal framefor the work you give me to do…

I offer you my time in 2009, Lord:teach me not to waste the precious time you give me;fill my days with energy and the willto live by your word and work for your glory;fill my nights with deep and restful sleep;show me what you would make of my lifein the new year ahead…

In the new year, Lord,I offer you those you’ve entrusted to my care:any who look to me and lean on mefor support and care and hope…make me faithful to those who depend on me…but make me not so strong, Lord,that I fail to depend and lean on thosewhom you’ve providedfor the times when I need support and strength…

I offer you my bounty in the year ahead, Lord:help me know the differencebetween what I desire and what I truly need;teach me to share what I have,especially when I have more than I need;teach me to see others’ needs before my ownand to care for them before I care for myself…

I offer you, Lord, the challenges of the year ahead:give me the wisdom and strength I'll needto confront and work through them..And I offer you the burdens and sorrowsthe new year will bring:give be strength to carry themand the consolation to bear with them...

I offer you the joys of the new year, Lord:let me not miss one of them, let me delight in themand let me share them with others...

I offer you the year ahead, Lord,with its months as 12 new chaptersin the book of my life:help me see the story of your lovein the days of each month;show me the clues that solve the mysteriesthat confuse and baffle me;let me see how these new chaptersrise up from what has beenand lead to what is yet to come;be the author of these 12 chapters, Lord,and let your words and your storyshape the person you created me to be…

I offer you the new year, Lord,and pray that I will come to its endin your peaceand in the embrace of your arms…

WORD FOR THE WEEKEND 3/8

Click on the bible for this coming Sunday's readings and some notes to help you understand them.

A Blessing for Lent

Click above for a sung Lenten blessing

Lent 2015

For a pocket cross with this scripture verse, send a stamped self-addressed envelope to Concord Pastor, 55 Church Street, Concord, MA 01742

Music for Winter Prayer

(Click on the image for a prayer)

href="http://ekaterinasfluff.com/album/the-keys-of-e">The Keys of E by Ekaterina

A daily prayer

A song and prayer for Lent

I need a clean heart this Lent, Lord, so in these 40 days I pray you'll: sweep, dust, cleanse, mend, repair, forgive, purify and strengthen this heart of mine... And because I need a new spirit within me, Lord, I pray you'll: renew my listless spirit, lift up my drooping spirit, rekindle my burned-out spirit, open up my selfish spirit, refresh my failing spirit, energize my tired spirit, pardon my sinful spirit and put a right spirit within me, within this heart of mine...

Are you thinking about becoming a Catholic?

The best place to start is always one of your local Catholic churches. Drop in some Sunday and see what's going on. Then you might speak to the pastor or someone on the parish staff about how they can help you and respond to your questions.